THROUGH THE LENS: Willie Nelson's First Fourth of July Picnic
Willie Nelson’s first Fourth of July Picnic, in 1973, was inspired by the Dripping Springs Reunion held at the Hurlbut Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas, the year before, where Nelson and other country music favorites performed. While its promotion and attendance were lackluster, Nelson recognized that the Reunion had
An Expansive Tour of America on Double Album Release from Reckless Kelly
Reckless Kelly covers expansive territory on two new albums, American Jackpot and American Girls, both released this Friday.
Founded by Willy Braun and his brother Cody Braun in 1996, Reckless Kelly has migrated from its Idaho roots to Austin, Texas, to create their follow-up to 2016’s Sunset Motel. What
THE READING ROOM: Buffalo Rose’s Lucy Clabby on Plays, Poetry, and Playing with Words
Lucy Clabby grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, spending happy summer days reading at her spacious local public library. “They had a great YA section, and on beautiful sunny days, I could stay there all day reading,” she recalls fondly. Her deep love of reading has never left her, and she
Indigo Girls Bring Contradictory Forces Into Harmony on 'Look Long'
Thirty-five years after they started performing together as Indigo Girls in their home state of Georgia, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are finding the power of singing together to be more driving than ever.
The duo’s voices, and the unity and ease between them, are the driving force behind
THROUGH THE LENS: Was 1973 the Greatest Year for Roots Music?
“The past beats inside me like a second heart.” The Sea
Everyone has their year, and many writers have postulated why a certain year was the greatest one for music. I submit that 1973 was that year for roots music. That was the year it came together, the year it
Gretchen Peters on Finding the Songs of Mickey Newbury — And Herself Along the Way
EDITOR’S NOTE: Gretchen Peters’ new album, The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury, is released today. We asked her to talk about why Newbury resonates so strongly with her, and she decided to address him directly.
Dear Mickey,
When I found you I was a